§ 20. Sir G. Nabarroasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that growers of radishes in the Vale of Evesham and elsewhere have been prevented from marketing their early spring crops grown under glass by market flooding by Californian radishes; what regulations regarding radish imports are in force to provide protection of home crops; and, in view of the cost to the balance of payments of importing food from abroad, if he will impose fresh import quotas for radishes and similar crops.
§ Mr. DellI have no evidence that the market for home grown radishes has been depressed by imports. Radishes from the Commonwealth Preference area enter duty-free. Other imports pay a 10 per cent. duty. There are no quota restrictions on imports of radishes, except for the Sino-Soviet bloc, and I do not propose to introduce any.
§ Sir G. NabarroWould the hon. Gentleman—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We must bear the truth about radishes.
§ Sir G. NabarroWould the hon. Gentleman pay a visit to the Vale of Evesham and ascertain for himself why it was necessary to bring Californian radishes into this country in vast quantities in the spring of this year, at the peak of the English market season, thereby destroying all prospects for the English growers to sell their produce at reasonable prices?
§ Mr. DellWhat the hon. Gentleman should be worried about is the price which radishes, grown in the Vale of Evesham or elsewhere, are bringing in the market. I have no evidence that, generally speaking, the prices currently being obtained for radishes, particularly in late April and May, are lower this year than they were in 1967 and 1968. In fact, I understand that they are higher. Nevertheless, if people in the industry think that there is a substantial case for an increase in duty, they should present it to the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. Ronald AtkinsWould my hon. Friend agree that this was an appropriate subject for the Leader of the Opposition to discuss when he was at the White House?
§ Sir G. NabarroFatuous.